Shirgao's traditional 'homkund' ceremony attracts thousands

Bicholim: The 'homkund', part of the famous zatra festival held in the village of Shirgao, in the Bicholim taluka, was held in the wee hours of Thursday. The zatra is dedicated to the Hindu goddess, Lairai, and Thursday's 'homkund' witnessed a large number of Dhonds (devotees) walking over a path of flaming embers, in keeping with tradition.
Thousand of devotees of the goddess Lairai from across Goa and even from parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka, gathered to watch Dhonds participating in the 'homkund', which turned out to be the cynosure of all eyes.
After taking a holy bath in the 'Dhondhachi Tolli' (pond of Dhonds) and converging at Mudder to seek the blessings of goddess Lairai, thousands of Dhonds walked over a path of embers.
The first day of the zatra culminated with a young male, assuming the form of goddess Lairai, holding a 'kalash' and walking barefoot over the embers, thereby fulfilling a promise that the goddess is believed to have made to another goddess, Kelbai, from Mayem.
The 'kaulotsav' festival began on Thursday evening and will continue till Sunday.
Zatra festivities kicked off on Wednesday with different rituals in the vicinity of the temple at Mudder and near the 'homkund'.